Feeling Powerless? Join the Crowd.

[MineralMan]

With 5 days to go before the Electoral College votes, the Republicans are just playing a waiting game, and we all get to play along. There's not really any action we, or even Democratic leaders, can take that will make any difference before December 19.

The Republicans know this, and are simply biding their time and waiting for that to happen. Once it does, it will be virtually impossible to prevent the inauguration on January 20. President Obama can't stop it. Congress can't, and wouldn't stop it. Protesting won't stop it. The Constitution won't stop it. In fact, that document make it almost impossible to stop.

Here's the deal, as I see it: The only thing that will prevent Donald Trump from taking that oath and becoming POTUS is the exposure of something so heinous, so embarrassing, or so awful that he will be forced to withdraw. What could that be? I have no freaking idea. Is there a video of him having sex with a kid? Does someone have photos of him in a sexually compromising position with Putin? Are his tax filings going to suddenly make an appearance and show something that would force him not to take office? Any other ideas? Anyone?

There are no laws I can find that present any way to prevent him from taking office. The Constitution is silent on how one might prevent a person with 270 electoral votes from becoming President. As far as I know, he hasn't committed any felonies that would lead to his arrest before January 20, either. Treason doesn't apply, because we're not at war with Russia. They're a trading partner and a nation with which we have many agreements.

We're all casting about for reasons he can't be allowed to take office, but there really aren't any. In reality, the only one who can prevent him from taking that oath is Donald Trump himself. And he won't do it unless there is something so awful that even he couldn't do it, based on fear, shame, or some other emotion he doesn't seem ever to feel.

So, what do we do? Do we sit around and post things that have no chance of working? Do we blame each other for the election? Do we blame Putin and Russia? And if they're at fault, what on Earth can we actually do about that? Do we wave our arms and run about in panic? None of those things will work. We had our chance on November 8, but not enough people in enough states voted for Hillary Clinton to prevent what happened.

So, folks, if you know something horrific that Trump has done and have clear, obvious, undeniable evidence that you can disseminate, it's time to get it started spreading. I don't know of such a thing. If you know someone who could leak something like that, get them to do it RFN. Time's running out. Wasting time on stuff that isn't going to happen isn't going to work. We need some sort of public scandal so outrageous that would cause even Trump to withdraw. So, if you know of something like that, it's time to share it. None of the stuff so far has worked.

I'm out of ideas. I'm out of hope. Soon, I'm going to be out of time to even think about the possibility.

If you have something on Trump that has hard evidence that everyone will understand, it's time to trot it out. If not, then there's not much more to say about this travesty of a presidential election. We're pretty much screwed, as far as I can tell.

[mnhtnbb]

1. We're pretty much screwed unless The Company takes action.

[MineralMan]

2. The Company?

Oh, for pity's sake! What do you think this is? Some spy movie? The Company? Reality is calling. Pick up your phone.

[Nay]

35. I think he means the See Aye A. nt

[mnhtnbb]

36. Pick up your history book.

[Horse with no Name]

3. I was watching the selection of the Montana guy to oversee the National Parks

He will rape and pillage the parks but at least he doesn't want to sell them off.

In these days...that almost seems a win...

[MineralMan]

4. He doesn't want to sell them to the individual states.

Disney? Six Flags? Maybe he thinks they're better options.

[BigDemVoter]

5. I keep hoping--and I know this is foolish-- that President Obama has some kind of information

he could release before Monday. I know he would be delighted to do so should he have the info. . . .

[MineralMan]

6. I have no idea what President Obama has on Trump.

If there's something, he's keeping it close to his vest. Time's running out.

[BigDemVoter]

10. I know. . . .

I don't think he does. . . . But it's interesting that the WH keeps "suggesting Trump knew about hacking . . .". . . If they have something, I wish they would just let it out. There would need to be enough time for it to digest a bit and cause maximum damage.

[MineralMan]

14. That, very frankly, would not be enough.

Not even close.

[Horse with no Name]

7. Truly the ONLY thing that makes me giggle in all of this?

He is trying to fuck over the CIA......

That may be what saves us.

[MineralMan]

8. Mostly, the CIA is a buncha guys in suits

sitting in offices. I'm afraid they're not all that powerful, really.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

9. I'm here with you

All we are pretty much left with to mitigate the oncoming disaster for at least the next two years as I see it is lots of grassroots activism, lawsuits, pushing whatever Democratic/progressive representation we have left in Congress to fight the worst instincts and excesses of Trump/GOP in Congress and in the states and hope that progressives can mobilize sufficiently to win seats in 2018 and TKO Trump in 2020 so that we can start trying to push the liberal agenda forward again. There is no way that Trump/GOP won't be a disaster and, at some point, their policies/actions are going to hit enough people hard enough to where it can't simply be ignored or spun away.

[yallerdawg]

11. All we got left is "dead girl or live boy!"

I'd say right now while he is marveling in this unexpected power handed him, it will start becoming clear to him uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. Hell, he doesn't even want to hear about it!

Being, "like, a smart person" and all, it shouldn't take him much longer to realize he will have to divest of the Trump 'business' or face impeachment.

I believe he will 'abdicate' or resign shortly after 'the coronation' we pay for, rather than slum in the White House.

We already know he has no regard for the United States of America.

[briv1016]

12. There's a kind of freedom in being completely screwed...

because you know things can't get any worse

[MineralMan]

13. Yeah? No. You have no idea

how much worse it can get. It hasn't even started yet. Believe me, it can, and will, get much, much worse, unless you're wealthy enough to ride it out in comfort. I'm not.

[briv1016]

15. I view Donald as two extinction level events (climate change and nuclear war)

so yea.

[Tumbulu]

45. That's what I see as well

But let's not forget food shortages via screwing up the USDA and agriculture in general.

[NRaleighLiberal]

16. Powerless. That works - it is how I feel as well. And it sucks.

[jalan48]

17. One of the main reasons the Vietnam war was stopped was because of vocal, public opposition.

We can't sit at home and expect things to get better. One of the best things that will come out of a Trump Presidency is a resurgence of interest in politics on the left, especially among younger people. Trump's a bully and how do we deal with bullies? Stand up to them and they will back off.

[montana_hazeleyes]

22. I feel protesting like in the sixties won't be allowed under trump.

Things are way worse than a lot of people think it will be under him. The police will be allowed to shoot protesters down in the streets now. No one can stop this guy or his administration!

As sickening as this sounds I feel all the evils that wanted to be set free, will be with him at the helm and all the power the repulicans have now.

Plus he will be in command of the military AND the biggest police union endorsed him and are demanding the military weapons President Obama limited to them to be given to them to use against the populous.

I fear protesters will be shot down at will and who's going to be able to stop it?

[jalan48]

23. I don't disagree. Remember though, Hillary won the popular vote even with the treason.

What choice do we have? On the climate issue alone our kids, grand kids and beyond will remember what we did.

[montana_hazeleyes]

24. I get what your saying .

But I just feel so doomed and hopeless.

That's not usually me, but so many of us have been psychologically affected by this.

I do hope we can get in the streets by the millions. I hope that happens. I'm old and not well but I'll fight for my kids and grandkids.

[jalan48]

25. I'm an ex-Montanan and I remember hearing stories from my mother about the striking miners in Butte.

Last edited Wed Dec 14, 2016, 09:27 PM - Edit history (1)

My grandfather was a miner there and was one of those who went on strike against Anaconda Copper. The company did horrible stuff to the miners to try and break the strikes. We did prevail but I'm sure it was bleak as well back then. Hang in there-it will get better. We are the majority.

[montana_hazeleyes]

34. I respect those miners and folks so much.

Strong and such hard working people in dangerous conditions. Bless them.

My username is kind of confusing. I've actually been a Californian all my life and love the name Montana because of Joe Montana our great qb. I think Joe has more female fans than male ,lol.

When I joined DU in 2003, I don't remember why I added my eye color to it.

But I would love to visit the state Montana.

It's so great corresponding with DUers like you. You have made me feel better and stronger, thank you.

[jalan48]

41. I totally understand as I am a long time 49r fan.

When I was growing up in Mont. there were only two NFL teams in the West, San Francisco and LA. Because of our location we always got the 49r games. I still remember Montana passing to Dallas Clark in 1982 to put the Niners in their first Super Bowl. There was a lot of jubilant shouting at the TV that day.

Montana is nice,especially the Western side of the mountains. Nice to meet you. We're in for some interesting times....

[montana_hazeleyes]

43. Nice meeting you too!

[Tumbulu]

46. Yes, that is what I think will happen as well

And I beleive that he will have the protesters in ND killed pretty quickly just to begin the shock and awe.

[bdamomma]

37. Say NO

the Energy Dept did and tRump backed off.

[jalan48]

42. Exactly!

[jaxind]

18. Sorry, Mineral Man...

Sorry, Mineral Man...there are some things even money can't ride out! What if there's another 9/11 or a nuclear attack???

[ehrnst]

19. Fear of what happened to his rape victim is an issue. (nt)

[world wide wally]

20. Give her a witness protection program with a generous benefactor to proceed with

The case

[ehrnst]

21. But aren't the "true progressives" all about getting rich people out of Democratic politics?

Seriously, I agree, but I would still be afraid - Trump has Moscow on his side.

[a kennedy]

26. I'm bawling as I read this.....said I was leaving.....just can not deal with what is taking

place in this country...I figure if I don't read, watch, listen, or discuss what's going on, I might survive. Love it here, just can't handle it.

[bdamomma]

38. this is the unthinkable

we have been played and I am UPSET..........

a kennedy this is 4 u

[a kennedy]

39. awwwwwww thank you.....

[oldtime dfl_er]

27. Where's Larry Flynt when you need him?

Seriously, we need to look ahead to 2018. If we lose in 2018 then ALL hope is truly lost. Please everybody, please get involved at the local level, and stay involved as much as you can.

[yeoman6987]

31. As far as senate goes, we MUST win the 8 seats repugs have up and

Keep our 23 seats that are up. It's a must. We have no choice. Our message must be vote like your life depends on it because it does. We cannot let the repugs get the magic 60 votes in 2018. If that happens, then it's over!

[beaglelover]

28. Nothing is going to stop Trump from being our next POTUS. As the days go by

I find myself getting more and more depressed about the future. So many unknowns about his plans for the country and world. Hopefully we'll survive the next 4 years.

[kentuck]

29. How many Republicans in political power have the courage of their convictions?

I could see a US Senate that might have from 3-5 courageous men that will vote for the best interests of our country over either Party's interest.

[beaglelover]

30. I think republicans are much better at sticking together than democrats are.

We have NO power in any branch of government, not only at the federal level, but in most states too. WTF happened?

[madinmaryland]

32. Sir. I agree with you on this. While there is "hope" that some egregious will come out,

I don't even believe that would stop tRump from becoming POTUS. We are going to have to live with this fucking disaster and only hope that it doesn't explode the country.

I can't say what will happen over the next four years, but I assume it will not be good. When he fucks up (which he will), scream it out as loud as you can). Even call your congresscritter every fucking time he does something fucked up or unconstitutional. Not much else we can do. I'll be calling my Senators, Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman, and my rep Mike Turner (R-useless), endlessly.

Not much else we can do. Keep up the fight!

[0rganism]

33. i'm just trying to enjoy the remaining 5 weeks of relative sanity before the crash begins

at this point there's nothing we can do to prevent the orange wedding, so we may as well stay calm. everyone and everything dies someday. and so it is for our nation. i hope i can still find a way to enjoy the sunlight and a breeze on my last day.

[bdamomma]

40. good post

my last hope will be the EC vote. I will try to enjoy the holidays, but there is a very dark cloud hovering in the New Year. 2017 was not supposed to be like this......sigh

[LiberalLovinLug]

44. Can a minority party initiate an impeachment?

Probably not. But even the conflicts of interests in his businesses, if he refuses to disengage, may be enough grounds for impeachment. Or if Trump does something perhaps dangerous to national security for instance, some diplomatic massive blunder, worse than his call to Taiwan, then there may even be enough Republicans that would join to start impeachment hearings, hopefully just months into his term. That's a possibility. Because those Republicans would know that without Trump, and with Pence, they have a much more pliable figurehead, much like Bush Jr., to dance for them and do what they want. That may be enough reason for them to help impeach. Not saying Pence would be any better though.

[MineralMan]

48. Not successfully, I'm sure.

Impeaching and convicting a President is very difficult to do. I can't imagine a minority party being able to make such a thing happen.

[Tumbulu]

47. I am totally out of hope as well and cannot shake my gloom

A number of my friends have started taking antidepressants. I may go ask about them. I only see a horrible end in sight. And every professional woman friend that I have looks as devastated as I feel.

This was/ is a coup and they will not give up their power.

I've disagreed with you a lot over the years MineralMan, but right now, I am sadly right there with you.

[cwydro]

49. As he himself said"

he could shoot someone in the middle of 5th Avenue and no one would give a hoot.